Ole Miss' Elston suspended 1 game for hit

OXFORD — Ole Miss defensive back Trae Elston has been suspended for one game by the Southeastern Conference for a “flagrant and dangerous act” near the end of the Rebels’ 28-10 victory over UTEP on Saturday.

The freshman made a big hit on a UTEP receiver with 3:18 remaining in the fourth quarter. There was no flag called on the play, but the SEC found the hit violated two NCAA rules, including initiating “contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, elbow or shoulder” and initiating “contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet.”

Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said in a statement he was “disappointed” to lose Elston, “but we are moving forward as a team and focused on Texas.”